The Poet's Moonlit Encounter: Sogi's Supernatural Poetry Contest

From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts" Series

The Haunted Temple

This evocative print depicts the legendary encounter between Sōgi, the renowned renga master of the late Muromachi period, and a gathering of supernatural beings. During his travels, he spent a night at a temple known for mysterious occurrences during the Hour of the Ox (around 2 AM).

Sogi Poem: "The moon tonight resides in the heavens, while the water remains frozen in its grasp"

The Ghostly Poetry Session

In the temple's main hall, Sōgi witnessed an otherworldly scene: a group of spirits—both samurai and monks—engaged in a poetry contest. They struggled to complete a poem that ended with the line "Tonight's moon dwells in the sky alone" (koyoi no tsuki wa sora ni koso ari).

The Master's Response

Drawing upon his poetic genius, Sōgi provided the opening verse: "The waters that would harbor it are sealed by ice" (yadoru beki mizu mo kōri ni tojiраrete). The combination created a masterful meditation on reflection and reality, noting how the frozen water prevented the moon's reflection, leaving it to dwell solely in the heavens.

The Supernatural Resolution

Yoshitoshi captures the moment when the spirits, moved by the perfection of Sōgi's verse, vanished in amazement. The poem's profound insight into the relationship between reality and reflection proved powerful enough to grant these restless souls peace.

Artistic Interpretation

The print masterfully renders this mysterious encounter, with Sōgi's calm presence contrasting with the ethereal gathering of spirits, all unified by the cold brilliance of the winter moon.

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